How to Design a Small Deck

Measure the yard space. Plan for your deckt to be built near a bedroom door, kitchen door or outside a family room. Carve out a space at least 9 feet by 12 feet. Figure out how to gain lighting early in the planning stages. Plan to build the deck so an exterior light beside the kitchen door will double as a deck light, for example.

Sketch an interesting deck floor pattern. Turn all boards on a diagonal, as one option, or create 4-foot square sections with identical board patterns. Give special attention to flooring of the deck, because this area will be difficult to redo or replace.

Plan the construction of the deck foundation. Figure out if you want to use wooden support posts on concrete footings or concrete pilings, for example. Draw support framework and floor joists that will support floor decking properly. Select pressure-treated lumber or cedar for the deck construction.

Plan railings and seating. Include a small railing about waist high, if you desire. Plan to build a sitting bench on one or two sides of the deck as another option. Leave off railings if the deck does not rise very far from the ground.

Figure all landscaping and amenities into your sketch before construction. Plan a border of small shrubs around the deck perimeter, for example. Add one or two large containers on the deck, made of lumber or concrete, for flowering plants or evergreen shrubs. Design a retractable awning that you will secure to house framing if you wish. Plan a small concrete patio to hold grilling equipment near the deck.